SHARM EL-SHEIKH, Egypt

Former US Vice-President Albert Al Gore said Monday that Africa can be a great power in the field of renewable energy.

Addressing UN climate change conference COP27 hosted by Egypt in the Red Sea city of Sharm El-Sheikh, Al Gore said Africa owns 40% of the world resources of renewable energy.

"Africa can be a renewable energy superpower," he said.

The former vice-president warned that it would not be enough to boost clean energy if countries continued to develop fossil fuel resources, including a "dash for gas" in Africa that would supply energy to wealthy countries.

"We need to obey the first rule of holes: when you're in one, stop digging. We have to stop making this crisis worse," Al Gore added.

He also warned of disasters that could create as many as a billion climate migrants crossing international borders, saying a surge of refugees would "end the possibilities of self-governance."

Taking place from Nov. 6 to 18, COP27, which began on Sunday, is attended by more than 100 leaders and heads of states across the world.

*Writing by Ahmed Asmar